New Delhi: Internal discontent is deepening in the country's Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Former soldiers and officers of Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have announced to open a front against the government. Retired soldiers are going to start an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the country's capital Delhi from November 7 in protest against the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act 2026. The main objective of this demonstration being organized under the leadership of All Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association is to get the newly implemented Act repealed and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
What is Central Armed Police Forces Act 2026
This new law, implemented by the Central Government on April 9 this year, has provided legal protection to the supremacy of Indian Police Service officers in the central forces.
Of the total IG level posts in CAPF, 50 percent posts will be reserved for IPS officers. At least 67 percent of ADG posts will be filled by IPS officers coming on deputation.
Indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar from 7th November
Retired soldiers are going to start an indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the country's capital Delhi from November 7 in protest against the Central Armed Police Forces Act 2026. All Special DG and DG posts of CAPF have been completely reserved for IPS cadre only. Earlier, the upper limit of 50 percent was fixed for the appointment of IPS on DIG posts for Group-A officers.
That too has been abolished through the new law. The association alleges that earlier such appointments were made only through executive orders, but now by giving it statutory status, the avenues of promotion of its cadre officers of the paramilitary forces have been closed forever.
Accusation of ignoring the orders of the Supreme Court
Association's national secretary Ranbir Singh says that the government has deliberately prepared this law to neutralize the previous orders of the Supreme Court. It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court had last year given clear instructions to the Home Ministry to reduce the deputation of IPS officers up to IG level in the five branches of CAPF in a phased manner within two years and complete the cadre review within six months.
letter to home ministry
Ranbir Singh clarified that he had written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding repeal of this black law, but no positive response was received from the government. He believes that when bureaucrats coming on deputation are given priority by ignoring cadre officers who have years of experience and expertise, it will become impossible for soldiers and officers to serve with self-respect. Due to not getting any relief from the Home Ministry, now the former soldiers and officers are in the mood for an all-out fight.